Government Relations

New York to Hear Ownership Limits Bill on Tuesday, June 2

The New York Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a hearing for Senate Bill 5392 on June 2,...

The New York Senate Agriculture Committee has scheduled a hearing for Senate Bill 5392 on June 2, 2009. This bill will limit ownership to no more than 50 intact dogs and cats over four months of age if they are kept for the purpose of breeding and selling the offspring.

In addition SB 5392 allows New York police officers, officers of the ASPCA and any other "duly incorporated society for the prevention of cruelty to animals" to seize animals kept in violation of the limit law as long as a complaint has been issued. A warrant must be issued before the animals may be taken.

The AKC strongly opposes Senate Bill 5392. While we are extremely concerned about the conditions in which some dogs are kept, the AKC believes that numerical limits do not address the underlying issues of responsible ownership and proper dog care. Limiting the number of dogs that may be owned does not automatically result in better dog owners. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of dogs without restricting the rights of owners or breeders who take their responsibilities seriously.

We believe that concerns about animal health and welfare can and should be addressed through animal cruelty laws and local nuisance ordinances, rather than arbitrary limits on dog ownership.

How You Can Help:

Attend the Senate Agriculture Committee hearing and express your opposition to Senate Bill 5392. The information on hearing is as follows: